I just returned from a week-long trip to Peru, where I spent five days and four nights hiking the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu. Not only did this trip allow me to see one of the seven modern wonders of the world, but it ended up being the trigger I needed to launch back into a fitness routine. Here’s how you can leverage your next vacation to see the world and gain some movement in nature.
What is Destination Hiking?
Instead of taking a cruise, going to a resort, or booking a destination with a just loose itinerary, structuring your travel around a hiking trip allows you to explore the local landscape, often with the support of a professional, knowledgeable, multilingual guide and a group of like-minded individuals. Destination hiking involves choosing a hike in a country or region that you would like to explore as the main feature of your trip, and planning additional excursions around that hike. It could last the whole length of your trip, or be added on before or after additional days of exploring.
Why Choose a Destination Hike?
Financial
One of the first pros of destination hiking is the cost. The cost for your hike includes your expert guide, but also typically your housing for the whole duration of the trip, meals during the trip, and oftentimes other included activities. For my recent trip to Peru, the tour provider charged $695 for five days/four nights. This included transportation, luggage storage, porters to transport our duffel bags, two professional guides, three chefs and three meals per day, accommodations each night, tickets to Machu Picchu, and even a coffee tasting workshop. Travel often gets expensive between lodging, food, and activities, so a hike is a great way to roll all the costs into one for an unforgettable experience.
Social
Even if you’re traveling with loved ones, we often crave meeting new people abroad. Destination hiking allows you to join a group of like-minded people from across the globe. On my trip, I met folks from Los Angeles, Arkansas, Canada, and even Switzerland. Had I had more time to spend in Peru, I would have left the hike with a built-in group of people to reach out to to do things around town with. Regardless, I now have long-lasting connections with these people all over the globe.
Cultural
Even if you choose to stay in a local hostel and attempt to fully immerse yourself in the local culture, it can be difficult to know if you’re getting an authentic experience if you’re not from the area. One of my goals when I travel to new countries is to learn more about the daily lives and comforts of the locals, and there’s no better way to do so than to be led by a local. I chose a hike operated by local Peruvian people, which not only supported the local economy but largely benefitted our group. Everywhere we went, we had guides who spoke the language (in this case, Spanish, Quechua, and English) and knew the history of the area, as well as cooks creating delicious traditional Peruvian food.
Spiritual
Especially as Americans, our days are so fast-paced. Especially when traveling, we can feel bogged down by the stress of coordinating activities, responding to friends, and even actively posting pictures on social media. You’re trying to relax on vacation and boom–you get a work email about a project you’ll already be behind on when you get back. On destination hikes, you don’t have that option. You often don’t have cell service or wifi, forcing you to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle and instead be in the present moment connecting with nature. I chose to go on this trip right after completing my Master’s degree, and I genuinely forgot about all of the stress that came with school and interning as I got to spend time out in nature. (Stay tuned for my blog on how nature is therapeutic and healing!)
Physical
And lastly, I started this blog by sharing that a destination hike is a great way to get in some movement. Many people know the feeling of coming back from vacation bloated, tired, and miles away from all the good habits you built while at home. With destination hiking, you’re engaging in planned, low-impact activity each day that allows you to both enjoy the local cuisine and enjoy movement that doesn’t leave you feeling like you went backwards on your fitness goals during vacation. On this trip in particular, I hiked 48 miles in four days, but also enjoyed three large, delicious meals each day, plus snacks. Eating well to move well is a beautiful thing!
In the end, you might want to consider destination hiking for your next vacation. It’s a great way to enjoy the local culture, get some bang for your buck, reset from a busy lifestyle, and get in some movement!
